Argus NFL Expert Brian Valerio previews the NFL season in a four part series. In the last of four articles, Valerio takes a look at the NFC South and NFC West.
NFC South:
1. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers should win the NFC South again this year. Carolina is led by an excellent defense that features game-changing playmakers in Julius Peppers, Dan Morgan, and Chris Gamble. The offense is led by speedy Wide Receiver Steve Smith, who can score points in bunches. If the Panthers can run the ball effectively, this will be the team to beat in the division.
2. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons and ungodly talented quarterback Michael Vick are a perennial disappointment. Look for the Falcons to miss the playoffs again this season while Vick struggles with his accuracy. The Falcons have arguably the best running game in football and an excellent defense led by John Abraham and Keith Brooking, but Vick’s deficiencies in the passing game will prevent them from advancing to the playoffs.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs will not return to the playoffs this season. The offense is inconsistent and lacks any real scoring threat. Cadillac Williams is a good player, Chris Simms has shown some promise, and Michael Clayton has displayed playmaking ability, but none of these players strike fear in their opponents’ heads. The aging defense, led by Derrick Brooks, lacks depth and will not play as well as it did last season.
4. New Orleans Saints: The Saints are the feel good story of the season. It is great thing for the people of New Orleans to have the Saints back in the city. That being said, it’s going to be a difficult year for the Saints on the football field. The offense should put up good numbers with Drew Brees, Joe Horn, Deuce McAlister, and Reggie Bush, but the defense is awful.
NFC West:
1. Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks are going to be very good this year. The addition of Deion Branch improves the offense dramatically. Branch upgrades the passing game and takes pressure off of Shaun Alexander and the ground attack. The defense is young and improving. Expect Seattle’s D to be one of the best in the league by the end of the season.
2. St. Louis Rams: The Rams are going to surprise a lot of people this season. New coach Scott Linehan will run the ball more with bruising back Steven Jackson. The Rams still have weapons at receiver in Tory Holt, Isaac Bruce, and Kevin Curtis, and quarterback Mark Bulger is able to get the ball in their hands. The offense should carry the team this year, while the defense improves from last year’s performance.
3. Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals have loads of playmakers on offense. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are the best receiver duo in the NFC, and Edgerrin James is an All-Pro back. The problem with the offense will be the line’s inability to open holes for James or give Warner (later in the year, rookie Matt Leinart) time to throw the ball. The defense has some solid young talent in Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle, but the Cards still have a ways to go in the rebuilding process.
4. San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers should be better than they were last year. They will be competitive and win more games this year. Quarterback Alex Smith needs to improve on his play from his rookie year in order for the offense to be productive.
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